Method and means for restraining animals

ABSTRACT

A meat animal on foot enters the restrainer on a normally stationary horizontal floor hinged along one side edge. A retractable sloping side wall moves to support the belly; the floor drops to immobilize the animal for stunning then upon retraction of the side wall the animal slides down the now inclined floor in proper position for leg shackling and hoisting to a bleeding conveyor. The device is also ideally suited for use by veterianians in handling animals.

[ Nov. 28, 1972 United States Patent Schmidt, Jr.

Schmidt et al.

[54] METHOD AND NIEANS FOR RESTRAINING ANIMALS 1,021,523 3/1912Hoeckelberg................17/1 A 3,051,984 9/1962Hlavaceketal.............l7/lA [72] Invent 3,599,276 8/1971Edwards......................17/1A [73] Assignee: The CincinnatiButchers Supply Primary E xaminer-Lucie H. Laudenslager Attomey-J.Warren Kinney, Jr.

Company, Cincinnati, Ohio [22] Filed:

A meat animal on foot enters the restrainer on a normally stationaryhorizontal floor hinged along one side edge. A retractable sloping sidewall moves to support the belly; the floor drops to immobilize theanimal for stunning then upon retraction of the side wall the animalslides down the now inclined floor in proper position for leg shacklingand hoisting to a bleeding conveyor. The device is also ideally suitedfor use by m m AA um nu mm 1 mmm mmn mm MM, MM N9 6 N N 1. U ws m AU.mFu mumm B .DUUU

1,058,509 4/1913 Wiltmann....................17/1 A 21 Claims,4DrawingFigures minimum m2 3. 703. 74a SHEET 1 0F 2 FIG-l FIG-2 as l R 4/ 48 I-36 30 INVENTOR 5o CARL OSCAR SCHMIDT,JR.

4e 52 a wwj) 54 ATTORNEY BACKGROUND-OF THE'INVENTION According to anearly U.S. Patent of Schmidt et a1. U.S. Pat. No. 81 1,958, an animalwalks into a knocking pen and remains standing on a normally stationaryfloor hinged along one side edge, while poised for stunning. Because ofthe fact that the animal remains on' foot, restraint of the animal isinsecure and permits considerable moving and jumping, therebyinterfering with the aim or effective application of a stunning deviceto the head of the animal. As a result, stunning may often become aninhumane operation which not only tortures the animal, but interruptsthe desired regularity of animal movement into the modern automated meatproduction system.

The knocking pen of the patent mentioned, provides for hinging of thesupporting floor to a position of inclination whereby the animal mayslide partly out of the pen after stunning; however, the arrangement issuch that the legs of the animal are inaccessible for easy shackling andhoisting to an overhead bleeding conveyor as used in modern packingplants. Under the teaching of the patent, it appears necessary to rollthe half-ton carcass over in order to remove it from the pen and poiseit for hoisting by the leg. Unless this is done, the side flap of thepen evidently would interfere with hoisting.

In view of the foregoing observations, the patented structure is subjectto much improvement if it is to serve as a component of an automatedline of meat processing machinery. v

Other forms of restraining devices are disclosed by US Patents such asU.S. Pat. Nos. 2,912,715 and 3,051,984, which require an excessiveamount of floor space and considerable electric power. Also in devicesof this type, the animal if frightened may run through the restrainerbefore the operator can contract the restraining side walls, in whichevent there is produced serious interference with the timed operation ofthe plant, and confusion resulting from an animal on the run.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The restraining means of the present inventionis compact and reliable in its operation, and incorporates a minimumnumber of moving parts none of which are of a delicate nature. Inoperation, the apparatus presents a stationary floor for the animal tostand upon so as not to arouse undue excitement. At the convenience ofthe operator, and without risk of error, the operator may cause slopingside walls of the apparatus to support the animal at its belly whilelowering the floor, thereby assuring complete immobility and control ofthe animal in readiness for stunning with great accuracy andeffectiveness. After the stunning operation, a side wall of theapparatus is retracted to release the animal in such a way as to ensureits delivery always feet first, so that a leg shackle may be quickly andeasily applied for hoisting the animal to an overhead bleeding conveyor.

The features and objectives mentioned in the preceding paragraph areobjects of the present invention.

A further object of the invention is to ensure humane treatment of theanimals by maintaining maximum control over their movements so that thestunner may work with precision and despatch.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the characterstated which is limited in size, and is relatively simple, inexpensive,durable and free of maintenance attention.

Another object of the invention is to provide a restraining device andmethod whereby the hides and flesh of animals treated will not bedefaced or bruised The foregoing and other objects are attained bythemeans described herein and illustrated upon the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved restraining apparatus ofthe invention, showing an animal before and after stunning.

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view showing an animal as initiallyintroduced into the apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing the animal under fullrestraint preparatory to stunning.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing a side wall withdrawn andthe floor inclined, to deliver the stunned animal feet first for easyshackling.

The device of the invention comprises a rectangular frame having fourvertical comer posts 8 including feet or pads 10 whereby the frame maybe secured to a suitable foundation. The frame may be reinforced at oneof its ends by a series of struts 12, and at its sides by lower rails 14and upper rails 16. At the entry end of the frame is located a suitablesliding gate 18 which is opened to admit an animal, and then closed toprevent the animal from backing out of the confines of the frame. Gate18 may include a pair of hangers with wheels 20 adapted to ride along anelevated rail or track 22, to open and closed gate positions. The gatemay be moved in any suitable manner such as, by way of example, by meansof a pneumatic cylinder 24. A runway 26 having spaced parallel uprightwalls 28, 28 guides the animals to the entrance opening at gate 18.

At one side of the restrainer frame is mounted a suitable platform 30,which is disposed at a proper elevation to support an attendant armedwith a stunning tool with which the attendant may disable the animal.The platform may or may not be attached to the frame, as desired.

The platform side of the apparatus frame supports a heavy rigiddownwardly and inwardly inclined wall or panel member 32 which mayextend approximately the full length of the frame. Member 32 isstationary, and has an upper edge 34 located at approximately theshoulder height of an animal supported within the frame. The lower edge36 of wall member 32 depends to a location near or above the animalsknees, where the wall member will provide support for one side of thebelly of the animal, FIG. 3.

The opposite side of the belly of the animal is to receive support froma second panel or wall member 38, having a lower edge portion 40disposed at the ap proximate level of edge 36 of member 32. Wall member38 has an upper edge portion 42 supported by a horizontal pivot shaft44, said shaft having its opposite ends supported by two of the framecomer posts. Wall member 38 is swingable about pivot shaft 44 from theoperative or supportive position of FIG. 3, to the inoperative or freeposition of FIG. 4.

Any suitable power means may be employed for activating the movable wallor support member 38. As shown herein by way of example, the power meanscomprises a fluid motor in the form of a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder46, whose piston rod 48 has a pivotal connection at 50 with the loweredge portion of member 38. The fluid motor if desired, may be of thesingle-acting type wherein fluid power is utilized to retract the pistonrod 48, and the weight of the wall member 38 with the animal supportedthereon, acts to extend the piston rod. Of course, the fluid motor couldbe of the double-acting type, and may be supported on the frame at 51.

The reference numeral 52 denotes a floor member of sufficient strengthand rigidity to support the weight of an animal according to FIGS. 1 and2. The floor member approximates in size the length and width dimensionsof the apparatus frame. At 54 is located a pivot shaft for swinginglymounting one side edge ofthe floor member upon two of the frame cornerposts. The opposite side edge 56 is free to swing in a circle are aboutpivot 54.

Any suitable power means may be employed for activating the movablefloor member 52. As herein suggested, said power means may comprise afluid motor in the form of a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 58, whosepiston rod 60 has pivotal connection at 62 with the floor member nearits side edge 56. The cylinder is pivotally mounted upon the frameworkat 64.

The fluid motor 58 if desired, may be of the singleacting type whereinfluid power is utilized to project the piston rod 60, and the weight ofthe floor member with the animal thereon serves to retract the pistonrod. The movements referred to are to be under the control of theattendant. Of course, the fluid motor 58 could be of the double-actingtype if desired.

From the foregoing explanation, it will readily be appreciated thatfloor or support member 52 is disposable between an elevated, operativehorizontal position to support the weight of an animal, and a lowered,inoperative, inclined or sloping position at which the animal isslidingly discharged from the apparatus, (FIG. 4). Moreover, floormember 52 may be caused to assume the inoperative position while theweight of the animal is supported solely by the inclined walls 32 and 38according to FIG. 3, for immobilizing the animal prior to stunning.

OPERATION OF THE DEVICE In the normal condition of the device, the floormember 52 is elevated to the operative horizontal position by the actionof cylinder 58, and movable wall member 38 is lowered to the inoperativeposition remote from the stationary wall member 32. Also, the gate 18stands open to permit entry of an animal on foot ascending the runway26.

An animal passing the open gate 18 stands momentarily upon floor member52, whereupon an attendant opens fluid pressure control valve means toactivate motors 24 and 46 for closing gate 18 and advancing the wallmember 38 against one side of the animal according to FIG. 1. Thesloping wall member 38 cooperates with the fixed correspondingly slopingwall member 32,

to support the weight of the animal at its belly, whereupon the operatorwill effect actuation of cylinder 58 for dropping the floor member underthe feet of the animal to render it completely helpless and immobile.The operator may then apply the stunning tool with great accuracy anddespatch to preclude any possibility of suffering. I

To release the stunned animal, the operator need only manipulate a valveassociated with cylinder 46, to displace wall member 38 to theinoperative position of FIG. 4. Due to the slope of fixed wall 32 andthat of floor member 52 in a common direction, the released animal willslide down the face of member 52 to the exterior of the framework, withits legs extended automatically for application of a shackle 68 wherebythe carcass may be hoisted to an overhead bleeding conveyor.

The device is made ready for a subsequent similar operation, by merelyactivating the fluid motors 58 and 24 to elevate the floor member 52 andopen the gate 18. By means of the present method and apparatus, thedesired operation is performed quickly, accurately, and without any lossof time, thereby to maintain a predetermined uninterrupted progressionof animals through the processing plant. Such regularity in operation ofthe plant is of course conducive to profitable performance, withsubstantial savings of time and labor.

The device of the invention is very rugged and compact, utilizes aminimum of power, and its simplicity of construction is conducive totrouble-free inexpensive operation characterized by great reliabilityand efficiency.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for restraining animals subject to stunning, said apparatuscomprising in combination: an animal enclosing frame having an entranceopening through which an animal on foot may enter the frame interior; afloor member to receive and support the animal on foot and beingdisplaceable to a lowered sloping position; a pair of opposed side wallmembers at opposite sides of said floor member and operative to engageand support the animal at the sides of its belly, upon displacement ofthe floor member to a lowered sloping position with one side of thefloor member lower than the other side thereof and free of contact withthe feet of the animal, thereby to poise the animal in a substantiallyupright and immobile position for stunning; and means for effectingdisplacement of the side wall member adjacent said one side of the floormember away from said animal and out of supporting engagement therewith,for release of the stunned animal onto said lowered sloping floor memberand discharge of the animal laterally from the interior of the frame,with its feet emerging in advance of the body to facilitate shackling ofa leg for hoisting the animal to an overhead conveyor.

2. The combination as defined by claim 1, wherein the disposition of theside wall member adjacent the other side of the floor member is such asto cooperate with the lowered sloping floor member to ensure dischargeof the stunned animal laterally from the interior of the frame, with itsfeet emerging in advance of the body, to facilitate shackling of a legfor hoisting the animal to an overhead conveyor.

3. The combination as defined by claim 2, wherein said displaceablefloor member is normally stationary.

4. The combination as defined by claim 2, wherein said displaceablefloor member is stationary while the feet of the animal rest thereon.

5. The combination as defined by claim 2, wherein said displaceablefloor member is stationary during displacement of said one side wallmember to release the stunned animal.

6. The combination as defined by claim 2, wherein said displaceablefloor member is stationary while the animal on foot enters the frameinterior.

7. The combination as defined by claim 1, wherein is included powermeans operative by an attendant to control the movements of said floormember and said one side wall member.

8. The combination as defined by claim 7, wherein said displaceablefloor member is stationary while the animal is poised for stunning.

9. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said displaceablefloor member is normally stationary.

10. The combination as defined by claim 1, wherein said floor member hasa longitudinal edge portion hinged upon the frame'for arcuate swingingmovement of the floor member when displaced, with the floor memberdisposed at a position of inclination to the vertical; and means underthe control of an operator, for moving said floor member from saidinclined position to the animal on-foot receiving and supportingposition aforesaid.

11. The combination as defined by claim 10, wherein the side wall memberadjacent said one side of the floor member has an upper edge portionhinged to the frame for swinging movement of its lower edge toward andfrom the remaining side wall member; and means under the control of anoperator, for moving the hinged side wall member for advancement of thelower edge thereof toward said remaining side wall member.

12. The combination as defined by claim 11, wherein said remaining sidewall member includes a lower edge disposed at substantially the level ofthe lower edge of said hinged side wall member when the latter wallmember is in the position of advancement aforesaid.

13. The combination as defined by claim 12, wherein said remaining sidewall member is immovably fixed to said frame at an inclination to thevertical, with the lower edge thereof disposed within the frame limits;and the hinged edge portion of the floor member is located beneath saidremaining side wall member, the

inclination of said remaining side wall member being in the generaldirection of the floor member inclination when said floor member isdisplaced.

14. The combination as defined by claim 13, wherein both of said meanscontrolled by an operator, are fluid pressure actuated.

15. The method of restraining an animal for stunning, which comprisesthe steps of: driving the animal on foot onto a displaceable butnormally stationary substantially horizontal floor member; then applyinglateral support to the sides and the belly of the animal to limitdownward gravitation of the animal; then displacing said floor memberfrom supporting engagement with the feet of the animal with one side ofsaid floor member lower than the other to transfer the weight of theanimal from said floor member to said lateral support, thereby todisable the animal and poise it for stunning; then after stunning,removing said lateral support for gravity release of said animal ontosaid displaced floor member and discharge of the animal laterally fromsaid floor member with its feet emerging in advance of the body tofacilitate shackling of a leg of the animal.

16. The method as defined by claim 15, wherein the floor member asdisplaced is inclined, to form a chute located to receive the releasedanimal on its side, and slidingly convey said animal with its feetadvanced into position for shackling of at least one leg thereof.

17. The method as defined by claim 16, wherein the animal while standingupon the floor member, is restrained against movement in the forwarddirection of travel.

18. The method as defined by claim 16, wherein the animal standing uponthe floor member while said floor member is stationary, is restrainedagainst movement in a generally forward direction of travel.

19. The method as defined by claim 15, wherein the animal while standingupon the floor member, is restrained against movement in the forward andrearward directions of travel.

20. The method as defined by claim 15, wherein the animal standing uponthe floor member while said floor member is stationary, is restrainedagainst movement in a forward direction of travel.

21. The method as defined by claim 15, wherein the animal standing uponthe floor member while said floor member is stationary, is restrainedagainst movement in a rearward direction of travel.

1. Apparatus for restraining animals subject to stunning, said apparatuscomprising in combination: an animal enclosing frame having an entranceopening through which an animal on foot may enter the frame interior; afloor member to receive and support the animal on foot and beingdisplaceable to a lowered sloping position; a pair of opposed side wallmembers at opposite sides of said floor member and operative to engageand support the animal at the sides of its belly, upon displacement ofthe floor member to a lowered sloping position with one side of thefloor member lower than the other side thereof and free of contact withthe feet of the animal, thereby to poise the animal in a substantiallyupright and immobile position for stunning; and means for effectingdisplacement of the side wall member adjacent said one side of the floormember away from said animal and out of supporting engagement therewith,for release of the stunned animal onto said lowered sloping floor memberand discharge of the animal laterally from the interior of the frame,with its feet emerging in advance of the body to facilitate shackling ofa leg for hoisting the animal to an overhead conveyor.
 2. Thecombination as defined by claim 1, wherein the disposition of the sidewall member adjacent the other side of the floor member is such as tocooperate with the lowered sloping floor member to ensure discharge ofthe stunned animal laterally from the interior of the frame, with itsfeet emerging in advance of the body, to facilitate shackling of a legfor hoisting the animal to an overhead conveyor.
 3. The combination asdefined by claim 2, wherein said displaceable floor member is normallystationary.
 4. The combination as defined by claim 2, wherein saiddisplaceable floor member is stationary while the feet of the animalrest thereon.
 5. The combination as defined by claim 2, wherein saiddisplaceable floor member is stationary during displacement of said oneside wall member to release the stunned animal.
 6. The combination asdefined by claim 2, wherein said displaceable floor member is stationarywhile the animal on foot enters the frame interior.
 7. The combinationas defined by claim 1, wherein is included power means operative by anattendant to control the movements of said floor member and said oneside wall member.
 8. The combination as defined by claim 7, wherein saiddisplaceable floor member is stationary while the animal is poised forstunning.
 9. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein saiddisplaceable floor member is normally stationary.
 10. The combination asdefined by claim 1, wherein said floor member has a longitudinal edgeportion hinged upon the frame for arcuate swinging movement of the floormember when displaced, with the floor member disposed at a position ofinclination to the vertical; and means under the control of an operator,for moving said floor member from said inclined position to the animalon-foot receiving and supporting position aforesaid.
 11. The combinationas defined by claim 10, wherein the side wall member adjacent said oneside of the floor member has an upper edge portion hinged to the framefor swinging movement of its lower edge toward and from the remainingside wall member; and means under the control of an operator, for movingthe hinged side wall member for advancement of the lower edge thereoftoward said remaining side wall member.
 12. The combination as definedby claim 11, wherein said remaining side wall member includes a loweredge disposed at substantially the level of the lower edge of saidhinged side wall member when the latter wall member is in the positionof advancement aforesaid.
 13. The combination as defined by claim 12,wherein said remaining side wall member is immovAbly fixed to said frameat an inclination to the vertical, with the lower edge thereof disposedwithin the frame limits; and the hinged edge portion of the floor memberis located beneath said remaining side wall member, the inclination ofsaid remaining side wall member being in the general direction of thefloor member inclination when said floor member is displaced.
 14. Thecombination as defined by claim 13, wherein both of said meanscontrolled by an operator, are fluid pressure actuated.
 15. The methodof restraining an animal for stunning, which comprises the steps of:driving the animal on foot onto a displaceable but normally stationarysubstantially horizontal floor member; then applying lateral support tothe sides and the belly of the animal to limit downward gravitation ofthe animal; then displacing said floor member from supporting engagementwith the feet of the animal with one side of said floor member lowerthan the other to transfer the weight of the animal from said floormember to said lateral support, thereby to disable the animal and poiseit for stunning; then after stunning, removing said lateral support forgravity release of said animal onto said displaced floor member anddischarge of the animal laterally from said floor member with its feetemerging in advance of the body to facilitate shackling of a leg of theanimal.
 16. The method as defined by claim 15, wherein the floor memberas displaced is inclined, to form a chute located to receive thereleased animal on its side, and slidingly convey said animal with itsfeet advanced into position for shackling of at least one leg thereof.17. The method as defined by claim 16, wherein the animal while standingupon the floor member, is restrained against movement in the forwarddirection of travel.
 18. The method as defined by claim 16, wherein theanimal standing upon the floor member while said floor member isstationary, is restrained against movement in a generally forwarddirection of travel.
 19. The method as defined by claim 15, wherein theanimal while standing upon the floor member, is restrained againstmovement in the forward and rearward directions of travel.
 20. Themethod as defined by claim 15, wherein the animal standing upon thefloor member while said floor member is stationary, is restrainedagainst movement in a forward direction of travel.
 21. The method asdefined by claim 15, wherein the animal standing upon the floor memberwhile said floor member is stationary, is restrained against movement ina rearward direction of travel.